Characteristics Of A Converted Christian
TITUS 3:3-8 "For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, [and] hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. [This is] a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men."
Paul makes it clear in this passage that true conversion means real change. He outlines the qualities and characteristics that defined us before we were saved. Then he asserts that those who have been regenerated by the blood of Christ and have been changed and converted by the renewing of the Holy Spirit, will be characterized by a life-style starkly contrasting to their past perverted pattern of living. They will maintain good works and do those things that are good and profitable for men and pleasing unto God.
Paul's life after conversion personified the truth of this proposition. The old saying that the proof is in the pudding has never been more clearly illustrated than in the life of this Paul, who not only changed his name to Paul when he was saved, but underwent a complete radical transformation in the purpose and pattern of his life. His life is a clear and classic confirmation of the statement he would make later to members of the Church at Corinth, "If any man be in Christ Jesus he is a new creature, behold old things have passed away and all things have become new."
In Paul's life this change is immediately made clear as he moves with reckless abandon and great boldness to join up with those he had so despised and persecuted. An even more impressive confirmation is contained in the record of his relentless and resolute march to martyrdom. His was no fair weather faithfulness. Years later in prison in Rome we find him standing in the shadow of the executioner's axe. He looks back and surveys the years of suffering for the sake of His Savior and pens these inspired and immortal
words to his young protege, Timothy, "I have fought a good fight, I have kept the faith, I have finished my course, and henceforth is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.." The record of the life and death of the great apostle still stands as the ultimate definition of real conversion.
The confirmation of true conversion remains the same in our day. The proof is still in the pudding. If a person professes salvation and no immediate or radical change is manifest, the validity of his confession is clearly and correctly called into question. Paul's statement that so strongly affirms to the Ephesians that salvation is entirely by grace through faith, concludes by attesting that God has ordained that those who are truly saved will walk in good works.
In my boyhood days I well remember the news that a notorious bootleg- ger had been converted in a evangelistic camp meeting. It was the talk of our rural community for days. Everyone agreed that the ultimate test of his profession would be whether or not local drunks had to find a new supplier of their moonshine. As far as I can recall, his profession was ultimately made clear by the obvious possession of Christ in his life and a radical life-style change.
Such change confirms the presence of a new spiritual nature in those who are truly converted. Such change entails more than a temporary outward or cosmetic transformation. Someone has said you can clean up and perfume a pig and place it in your parlor. This will not permanently change the pig, but it will change your parlor. This is what Peter had in mind in his analogy of false teachers found in the last verse of the second chapter of his second epistle.
I once knew a man who had great skill in repairing the bodies of old cars. He could take a rusted out piece of old junk and with a lot of putty and paint place it in what appeared to be mint condition. But let the buyer beware. In the not so long haul, he would find he had paid a premium price for a poorly performing piece of old junk that would not stand the test of truth and time.
Those who are truly converted are in for the long haul. Just as surely as a mirror reflects one's true outward image, the life of those truly saved will continue to reflect an inward likeness to Jesus Christ as they fight the good fight of faith and finish their course.
With all this in mind, let us look at the CHARACTERISTIC CHANGES IN A CONVERTED CHRISTIAN after he is saved. I would invite you to receive this message in a positive way. It is my hope and prayer that each one
who hears it will positively identify with each characteristic and respond by saying within yourself, " Oh yes, that's great. That's what happened to me. This gives me great encouragement and reassurance about the validity of my profession of faith and the security of my salvation. Since I have been reminded of these characteristics and their uniqueness, I want to commit myself to live them out and emphasize them as a testimony and witness before the world of the greatness of my salvation!" But if there are some who hear it and conclude that these characteristics are absent from their heart and life, I pray they will immediately fall upon his knees before God and truly repent of their sins and place their absolute faith and trust in Jesus Christ for eternal salvation and be truly converted; born again of God's Spirit!
CHARACTERISTIC CHANGES IN A CONVERTED CHRISTIAN BEGIN WITH A NEW BIRTH EXPERIENCE. The very nature of birth speaks of radical change and conversion from one physical state of being to another. A new born babe opens his eyes to a whole new world of existence. New sights, sounds, smells and sensations immediately begin to bombard his senses. In order to adjust and survive in his new environ- ment, he begins a whole new natural process of change and growth. In order to obtain and maintain normal development, he must eat properly, exercise regularly and be nurtured and trained by his family,
The spiritual parallel is all too obvious. The person who is born anew of the Spirit of the living God awakens from spiritual death to a new spiritual life in Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit progressively opens his spiritual eyes to a whole new world of existence. If he is truly saved, old sights, sounds and sensations take on whole new spiritual dimensions. A whole new process of spiritual change and growth should characterize his new state of being. If he is to obtain and maintain normal spiritual devel- opment he must ingest the Word of God and place it into daily practice in his life. He should also be baptized and then be in a position to be nur- tured and trained as an active and obedient member of the local family of God; a Bible-believing New Testament church.
CHARACTERISTIC CHANGES IN A CONVERTED CHRISTIAN ENTAIL A NEW FAITH AND NEW PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE. It is clear that a new life, a new outlook and new desires are spiritually inherent in the nature of this new spiritual existence. Paul said to the members of the church at Ephesus: "And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."
(Eph. 4:23-24) His new spiritual outlook on life brings him to realize that he is a child of God by faith in Christ Jesus. "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Gal. 3:26) His faith in ritual, religion, religious sincerity and activity is transferred to Christ. "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:11-12) He willingly and joyfully seeks and does the will of God. "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." (John 15:14) "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." (I John 5:3)
He has a new attitude and takes new action relative to sin and sinning. He is given the desire by the Holy Spirit of God to simply do right because it is right, through faith in Christ. "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth [it] not, to him it is sin." (James 4:17) "...for whatsoever [is] not of faith is sin." (Ro. 14:23) "If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him." (I John 2:29)
A new position, purpose and pattern of life is established. In this new position his purpose is to adopt a pattern of life that emulates Christ and will be pleasing to Christ and form the basis of a continuing good relationship with His Father. "And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.." (John 8:29) "...ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, [so] ye would abound more and more." (I Thess. 4:1)
His new attitude, position and relationship enables him to receive and respond to loving discipline. "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons..." (Heb. 12:6-7) The principle of correction characterizes our God's loving relationship with those who a really His children. Just why does God require parents to exercise strong and loving discipline and why does He do it Himself? We recognize chastening as a very important part of a positive discipline program. It is not at all punitive in the loving context in which God presents it. It is designed to accomplish good and lead to growth in the life of the disciplined person.
If you really love a child you will set some limits and build some fences in his life. You will try to protect him from harm and establish a safe and secure zone in which he can be lovingly nurtured. Children naturally push
against such fences in order to test their strength and validity. If you really love a child you will respond to this testing with loving chastening. This will reinforce the concept that more serious harm will occur if he grows up to be an indisciplined person. This is certainly true in the spiritual realm of our relationship with God.
My mother always used a green peach tree switch that striped our legs quite well. My father used a razor strap. I learned quite early to show sincere evidence of a repentant heart and a contrite spirit, by submissively snuggling up closely to my parents, I found less leverage could be applied over a shorter period of time. The stinging and the hurt was not as severe. But if I resisted and danced around at the end of a fully extended arm, the pain and hurt seemed to last forever. The converted Christian would do well to follow this logical pattern when being lovingly chastened by His heavenly Father.
CHARACTERISTIC CHANGES IN A CONVERTED CHRISTIAN INVOLVE A LOVE FOR GOD AND OTHER CHRISTIANS. It is a love that is an inherent part of his new nature. Since at the point of conversion he is made partaker of the divine nature and the Holy Spirit comes to indwell him. Then God, who is love, imparts His love to him. "...the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." (RO. 5:5b) There is no question that this love will become active and evident in the life of a converted Christian. It is a love that is practically expressed. An absence of such love would denote an absence of the Holy Spirit's presence and work in the life of the believer. "For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. . . .We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren...." (I John 3:11,14) "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:34-35)
Obviously love is a key characteristic and is a first fruit of the Spirit in a converted Christian's life. We are to love and serve Him because He first loved and served us. The love of Christ is to constrain us in His service. The word "sunecho" implies holding us to Him and to His service. Service rendered for any other reason counts for naught. During the Vietnam War I remember asking my brother how he could jump out over unknown terrain, in the dark of night, knowing the enemy lurked below. He simply said, "I love my country and believe in and am committed to what I am doing for it." If we believe in Jesus and love Him we will be willing to plunge into the
threatening and unknown world around us and profess Him daily as our Saviour and Lord.
Converted Christians can look to God for an example of the love that should characterize their walk through the world. Just how great is the love of God? What are it's limitations? What are it's parameters? Can those who are objects of it, ever flee from it or escape it? Is it measurable quantitatively or qualitatively? Just how high is it? Or wide? Or deep? Or long? Paul poses all these questions on his letter to the church at Ephesus and then concludes that the infinite love of God is beyond the grasp of the finite comprehension of the mind of mortal man.
The story is told of a father who stood upon a high mountain-top and pointed north, south, east, and west and swung his arm around in a great circle pointing to the far horizons and said, "Son, God's love is bigger than all that!" The boy replied with sparkling eyes, "Then we must be right in the middle of it!"
It is said that a pastor of old was once speaking to a farmer who had "God is love" inscribed upon his weather vane. He said to him, "What do you mean by that. Do you really feel God's love is as changeable as the wind?" The farmer cried out, "Oh, no! I mean that it doesn't matter which way the wind blows, God is still love."
Another tale is told of the great explorer Nansen. After futile attempts to record the depths of the ocean in some of its deeper parts, he made this entry in log book: "Deeper than that."
If the converted Christian is to be characterized by such love, it will obviously involve consecration and commitment. Jesus asks a pointed question, "Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things that I say..?" John simply says, "If you love Him, you will keep His commandments, and His commandments are not grievous." He commands that we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Paul urges that true disciples present their bodies a living sacrifice, not conforming to this word, but being transformed by the power of God. He tells us that it is reasonable to commit and consecrate our lives to Christ and be out and out for Jesus.
Such love for God and its subsequent expression toward man requires communion and communication. In order to show forth such love we need fuel for our fires of evangelism and service. We must have daily communi- cation and communion with Jesus through prayer and Bible study.
An innate desire for the sincere milk of the Word and a developing
hunger for the meat of the Word characterizes the truly converted Chris- tian as well. He desires to study the Word to show himself approved unto God. He desires a daily dialogue with deity through prayer and Bible study. When all this is true, it follows that a converted Christian is characterized by a desire for real loving communion with his brothers and sisters and a willingness to communicate the love of God to them and the gospel to the lost in the world around him. This is the ultimate confirma- tion of a true faith.
CHARACTERISTIC CHANGES IN A CONVERTED CHRISTIAN PROMOTE A PURITY OF LIFE. He lives with an acute awareness of his intimate relationship with God and His Son Jesus Christ. He lives in the light of the blessed hope; the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." (I John 3:2-3)
He avoids sin as he would a plague because he is a friend of God. He knows he cannot serve two masters and cannot be a friend of God and a friend of the world as well. He is a member of the colony of heaven and his standards are from that other world. He has been transformed by the renewing of his mind. He understands the impossibility of holding hands with God and Satan at the same time. He knows he is to be the light in a dark world and the salt of a corrupt world. This leads him to shun the dark shadows of sinful conduct and reject the gray areas of questionable activity in order to walk in the light of His way and Word. "Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." (John 4:4)
He wishes to remain a clean vessel, fit for the Lord's service. "Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean [thing]; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD." (Isa. 52:11) He does not wish to become a castaway, discarded upon a rubbish heap of backsliders. "But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." (I Cor. 9:27)
But when we look at our contemporary world, we might be excused for asking, "Is righteousness and purity passe'?" The anything goes attitude undeniably permeates the world around us today. Moral and spiritual anarchy
seem as prevalent today as in the days of the Judges when, "every man did what was right in his own eyes." Moral absolutes seem on longer applicable in a society that has slipped anchor from the Word of God and set sail recklessly and aimlessly toward the shoals of utter decadence and decay. A filthy, stinking, flood-tide of immoral perversion and pollution looms on the horizon and is set to inevitably overwhelm and inundate us all. The idea that righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people, seems to elude the leaders and led alike today.
The secular humanistic philosophy of situational ethics has become the norm. If you are big enough and strong enough and it feels good enough, do it. Away with the eternal verities of the Word of God and traditional Judeo- Christian ethic, upon which our nation was founded and by which it has prospered in the ensuing years. These are too inhibiting, restrictive and burdensome for the new modern man, who tolerates no interference with his philosophy of selfish materialism, unlimited acquisition and affluence. They are part of another puritanical age that has been assigned to the garbage heap of history by the liberal press and trendy lefties. They are certainly not for this so-called post-modern age.
But the Word of God makes it clear that if you sow to the wind, you will reap the whirlwind, and we appear to be entering the reaping phase today. The ever-increasing incidence of sexual transmitted diseases, some of which have serious and sometimes fatal consequences, is just one of the more serious and obvious manifestations of the myriads of social, economic, political and spiritual ills that are destroying the very fabric of civilizations and nations today.
The saddest and most serious aspect of it all is the apparent apathy and widespread tolerance of this state of affairs by many Christians today. A good case can easily be made for sheeting home much of the responsibility for this continuing disaster to Christians who not only fail to stand up and be counted on grave moral issues, but who all too often seem content to drink at the same fountain of immorality.
Is it any wonder then that there is often sin in the camp as far as the Lord's churches are concerned? This is clearly and graphically confirmed by an increasing inability and unwillingness to exercise self-discipline or maintain a basic standard of Godliness and purity in the local body.
Is there any hope or help available in this day of moral crisis? What can be done by those who are concerned and committed to the cause of freedom
and righteousness in land?
The only solution entails dealing with the problem at its source.
Judgment in this case truly begins at the House of God! The place of beginning for individuals and churches is to sincerely respond to the requirements of this command of God, "If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face: and turn from their wicked ways: then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." Christians in our day should once again promote a purity of life as being a primary characteristic of the truly converted.
CHARACTERISTIC CHANGES IN A CONVERTED CHRISTIAN CULMINATE IN VICTORY OVER THE WORLD. His true faith perseveres and he will keep on keeping on by the power of God. "Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Phil. 1:6)
In our great land of Australia we are familiar with the concept of life saving. When the crowds flock to our beautiful beaches during the holi- days and on the weekend, they know they will be able swim in relative safety because of the many life saving clubs that exist along the coast. These clubs do an excellent job. When the surf is up and the rips and undertows are running, we often hear of dozens being courageously saved from drowning and disaster in a single day.
But just what does such life saving involve? It obviously involves the rescue of those who have been pulled out beyond their ability to swim and return to shore. Those who are hopelessly overwhelmed, many times going down for the last time. It is not unusual to read testimonies of gratitude from those who have been saved and given a new lease on life by courageous life savers.
Life saving also involves a completed rescue or salvation. Resuscita- tion and medical help are given as needed. Once the perishing one is safe on shore, everything possible is done to restore him to a normal life. It would be inconsistent with the concept of life saving to place the saved person back into a situation of mortal danger.
Our God is able to truly save those to the uttermost if who come to Him His way; through His Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Through His Word and the power of His Spirit and the ministry of His Son, our Intercessor, we can have full assurance that He who has begun a good work
in us will perform it until the day He comes again to receive us unto Himself, that where He is, there we will be also!
Through Christ the converted Christian will overcome the world. His ultimate destiny is not dependent upon his own ability, strength or capacity to serve the Lord, but upon the power of Christ. He has been given a new powerful mental attitude of love and courage to do His will. This explains how those who have gone before have been able to face the most terrible persecution and even martyrdom; displaying a courage and peace that is not of this world. "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (II Tim. 1:7) His victorious and overcoming walk through the world is based upon a genuine faith. The long roll call of the faithful in Hebrews Chapter Eleven gives voice to the proposition that for the overcomer faith is the victory.
Following saving faith we are given serving faith. The same simple principles apply. The author and provider is the same. Our utter helplessness and inability is the same. Peter acknowledged this when, sinking beneath the waves, he cried out in faith, "Lord save me."
Two sailors were on a ship during a great storm. One, a seasoned old salt, whistled and stood with his face into the storm, enjoying the sting of the wind- driven spray. The other, a young seaman on his first voyage, hid within the ship, terrified, convinced the ship would surely sink. Who was the safer of the two? We who truly trust in Him can stand confidently on His promises and serve Him, secure in the knowledge that He is the Master of the seas and storms of life.
CHARACTERISTIC CHANGES OBSERV ABLE IN A CONVERTED CHRISTIAN ARE NOT NORMALLY MANIFESTED IN A BACK- SLIDDER. A backslider suffers broken fellowship with God and a loss of intimate relationship and fellowship in the body of Christ. He can experience the heavy but loving hand of the Father's chastening. Sometimes this will occur through rebuke and reproof. Sometimes God will move to correct him through sickness and everyday circumstances. Sometimes by an early departure for his heavenly home. When all else fails, God may, as in the case of those offending members in the church at Corinth, chose to take the backslider home in less than glorious circumstances. " For this cause many [are] weak and sickly among you, and many sleep." (I Cor. 11:30) This may result in loss of opportunities for the backslider to render fruitful and
rewarding service unto the Lord and could result in the loss of potential rewards and crowns at the judgment seat of Christ.
CHARACTERISTIC CHANGES IN A CONVERTED CHRISTIAN SHOULD SET HIM APART FROM FALSE PROFESSORS. The false professor will always return to their old way of life and ungodly pattern of living. He will end up in a worse condition than those who never knew the truth. Someone has said, " You can place a pig in your parlor - this won't change the pig - only your parlor." (See II Pet. 2:20-22)
JUST HOW CLEAR WILL THE CHRIST-LIKE CHANGES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF A CONVERTED CHRISTIAN ALWAYS BE? Paul indicates that some saved people at Corinth evidently re- mained babes in Christ and lived relatively carnal and selfish lives for an extended period of time. (See I Cor. 3:1-3) Peter indicates that some converted Christians progress so slowly that they may be filled with doubts and fears and lose their assurance and joy of salvation; perhaps even forgetting they have been saved. (See II Pet. 1:8-12) Lot evidently compromised with the world to a great degree. He seems to have lost his testimony to the world around him and even his influence with his family. Yet he was a saved man. (II Pet. 2:7-8)
In conclusion, I would like to repeat the challenge given at the begin- ning. Those of us who are truly converted are in for the long haul. Just as surely as a mirror reflects one's true outward image, the life of those truly saved should continue to reflect an inward likeness to Jesus Christ as they fight the good fight of faith and finish their course.
I trust you have received this message in a positive way. It is my hope and prayer that each one who heard it positively identified with each characteristic and responded by saying within himself, " Oh yes, that's great. That's what happened to me. This gives me great encouragement and reassurance about the validity of my profession of faith and the eternal security of my salvation. Since I have been reminded of these characteristics and their uniqueness, I want to commit myself to live them out and emphasize them as a testimony and witness before the world of the greatness of my salvation!" Perhaps this committal may entail publicly confessing Christ as your Savior and Lord and following Him in baptism. It could involve a rededication of your life to God. Or it could be that God has called you to surrender your life in full time Christian service.
But if there are those who hear it and conclude that these characteristics are absent from their heart and life, I pray that person will immediately fall upon his knees before God and truly repent of his sins and place his absolute faith and trust in Jesus Christ for eternal salvation - and be truly converted - born again of God's Spirit!
